Qi gong is designed to improve health and wellbeing by
increasing the subtle energy (chi/qi) in the body. Its gentle
rocking and stretching movements massage the internal organs,
improve circulation and digestion. The chest exercises and
controlled breathing are good for lung conditions and asthma. It
activates and improves mental capacity by learning and remembering
a new skill. Helps co-ordinate movement, mind and breath to create
a calm, tension free body. It increases agility, flexibility,
balance; strenghtening joints and muscles. It is relaxing and
enjoyable to do.

Shibashi is easy to learn and can be done from a chair. In
Malaysia and Indonesia it is considered a national exercise and
over 10 million people practice it worldwide. Qi gong means energy
exercise and Shibhashi means 18 movements (shi=10, ba=8,
shi=movement) therefore it is an energy exercise of 18 movements,
each working of specific energy meridians of the body (i.e. heart,
liver, kidneys etc.) Qi gong Shibashi was developed in 1979 by
Professor Lin Hou-Sheng, a renowned Qigong Master, Scientist and
Master Healer.

My focus is on qigong as it has a meditative quality to it and
works specifically with the energy systems of the body. I
have attended classes and workshops over the years and also spent
four years learning the Tai Chi short form, which I found difficult
to learn. When I heard of Shibashi as a simpler and easy form
to learn and remember, I went on a teachers training
course.

The benefits of
Shibashi’s 18 movements

Shibashi is all about gathering subtle energy
(qi/chi) into your energy system, which can be stored in the Dan
Tian (an energy reservoir) which can be used at a later time when
required. It is beneficial for those with low energy reserves due
to illness or more specially ME for example. The whole practice
encourages release of stress/tension in the body as well as helping
to dissolve negativity.

Each movement affects different meridians of the body,
increasing energy flow through them e.g. stomach, spleen, kidney,
gallbladder etc.(please note they are not in the same area as the
physical organs, they are meridian channels which correspond to the
appropriate organ). Therefore a particular movement can be chosen
to work with where there is a health concern.

Qi is also gathered through the specific points - the crown of
the head (universal energy), soles of the feet (earth energy) and
palms of the hands. They are called:

Bai Hui: a point on the top of the head at the
crossing points of lines drawn between the tips of each ear and the
nose to nape of neck. "Bai” means “hundreds” and

“Hui” means
“meeting”. It is the point where many meridians
meet.

Lao Gong: a point on the palm of each hand
(where the middle finger touches the palm if bent towards it).

Yuan Quan: the most inside point on the bottom
of each foot if the toes are tucked in. Yuan Quan means
“bubbling well” or “bubbling stream”.

Throughout the sequence of movements energy is increased and
this can be gauged by the energy felt in the palms, particularly at
the end of the practice.

As some of the movements involve twisting at the waist, this
causes a massaging of the all the meridians that run through the
meridian belt at the waist, increasing the efficiency of the energy
flow.

Kinesic energy is used to move the arms. To feel how this works:
stand in a doorway and push the backs of your hands out to each
side of the door frame, push for a couple of minutes then stand
away, relax and watch the arms float up of their own accord. That
is the energy you wish to harness and it easily comes with
practise.

Shibashi:

increases inner awareness of the body, how less
can be more. Doing the movement in a simplified way without causing
discomfort. Ease of movement together with ease of mind. There is
no competitive as aspect to it, it can be light and enjoyable.
Everyone is one their own personal inward journey.

increases meditative awareness where the mind
is focused on what you are doing, not running away with mind
chatter. Once the sequence is learnt it has a calming and floating
feel to it.

suits any age but in particular to those who have
maturing bodies, as it works within your comfortable
capacity. It can easily be done from a chair or
even some of the movements laying on a bed. No matter what your
ability there will be something in it for you.

It is important to practise the basic (Wuji) stance. Feet are
parallel, a comfortable shoulder width apart. The spine
should be straight allowing space between the vertebrae. The
lower back muscles should be relaxed and the knees soft with a
feeling of sitting down slightly, so that there can be movement
within the knees (no locking). The neck needs to be aligned
with the straight spine (no leaning forwards) so the chin is tucked
slightly inwards. The neck is elongated from the back not the
front and muscles in the neck need to be long. This is important
for the energy to be able to flow through the spine without
obstruction.

Watch video on youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7dtCxq6cQw

Or visit Shibashi website for video and further
information http://www.taichi18.com/

A gift from Master Wing Cheung (who taught
me)

"I have learned more than 30 different styles of Qigong. Tai Chi
Qigong Shibashi is one of the most effective and easiest to
learn. Most of my students are able to master it in just a few
lessons. And many of them can feel the presence of 'Qi' traveling
in their bodies after practicing for just 3 months.

I have created this free qigong video and instruction manual so
that all can have a chance to study it.

I am sure you will benefit from this gift. Just follow the
instructions and practice daily. Be sure to spread the word about
this website so that more people can benefit from this qigong
video."

In the class other qigong and tai chi movements are
incorporated, as well as embracing when appropriate:
Acupressure, Acu-Yoga, Reflexology, Self massage

Subtle energy channels called meridians are worked on by
the movements of Shibashi.

Meridians are like rivers that flow whilst vessels primarily are
storage places, yet also have a flow to them.

There are 20 major meridians that connect limbs, internal organs
and the surface of the body.

12 are primary meridians each connected to a major organ, as per
the diagram. 6 of these are 6 yin and 6 yang

8 of the primary meridians are called extra-ordinary,
functioning a reservoirs, supplying extra qi to the body when
needed.

Governing (Du) and Conception Vessels (Ren) are the main
energy rivers of the body's yin and yang; whilst also holding
energy them until it is needed.

Medical Qigong practice can involve regulating
conception and governing vessels, this can be done with
meditative awareness for healing purposes:

drawing yang upwards and yin downwards, known as the fire and
water pathways.

Microcosmic fire or water orbits are taught as a meditation
practice.

The governing meridian trajectory passes through all the yang
channels, over which it is said to 'govern" often called 'Sea of
Yang Meridians'. It nourishes the 5 ancestral organs.

The conception meridian trajectory, monitors and directs all yin
channels including the stomach. It is said to stimulate
spiitual intuition. It also nourishes the uterus and genital
systems